Yes, if you make something popular, you will get your share of haters. But unless you’ve made some serious mistakes, the haters will be far outweighed by the supporters.

It’s easy to engage with the haters and hate back, but that just escalates the problem. If some says something negative, either ignore them or try to disarm them with a kind & humble response. You’d be surprised how often not retaliating and being kind can defuse an ugly situations. And if that doesn’t work, definitely ignore them – no point in wasting your life worrying about someone who is being irrational and trying to offend you.

“He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool.” – Brigham Young

It’s easy to focus on the negative and ignore the positive. Don’t. When someone takes time out to say something nice about you or your work, try to respond back, even if it’s just a simple “Thank you.” You should spend most of your community interaction time with your fans, not your detractors.

Seriously, just be nice. It’s not always easy but it’s easier than the alternative.

13 Responses to “There is no Internet War on Creatives”

I have no clue who Bob and Bill are referring to, but I will say this; According to the “founding father” (or masons for lack of a better term lol), we are allowed certain “liberties” to speak, preach, and do as we feel so long as it doesn’t violate constitutional regulations… With that said, people (especially young minded, petty individuals) will spew out any number of “haterisms” just to get a rise out of people who are normally “even keel” individuals… It’s not the venom they spew which is in question… People will be people around other people, unfortunately… It’s the reaction from the normally calm person turn “forum maniac” because this particular post must have struck a nerve… I know from experience (XBOX forum… Yeah, I said it) so it can happen to the most rational of human beings. But the minds at Zeboyd do make a valid point… Ignoring a “cyber bully” is probable the form of self-defense online.

BTW can I get a link to the post in question? I know, I’m always late to party lol!

That Brigham Young quote just made my day. So true. Thank you for this post.
I say just let your work speak for itself. No matter how good or bad it may seem to outsiders, if it’s honest and it came from your heart and from your blood, sweat and tears, your fans will carry it for you. They will see it for what it is. To all the naysayers, argue with them to the point where both are happy with the outcome, even if you choose to agree to disagree. The trolls you should ignore. They just like to light things on fire and watch them burn for no purpose than their own enjoyment.

If only one particular talented developer had this approach toward PR, we’d all be getting another great experience. Maybe we still will. I’m convinced that he is more of a reactionary hothead than a quitter.

This is why I feel that staying small and focused on the Internet is an important thing. Not to avoid the haters, no, but to keep the pressures of so many people off each other. Widespread toxicity cannot fare very well if there are a massive amount of small communities instead of major social networks, where spewing toxic comments quickly becomes “cool” to do as it makes some feel more significant from the others in such a large community, and thus become commonplace. As for a small forum? If members don’t like the toxicity that creeps in, then they can move to another site or even found their own, either riding out the situation until the toxicity is taken care of or until the forum dies and they are willing to pick up the better-behaved of refugees.

Keep small and close. A site with millions of members – Many of them active – is a caveat that should be heeded with great decision, as you may find that you are likely to go ignored and unnoticed. Yet, a site with few members might just become your favorite site to hang around in instead, as it allows you to be yourself to a greater degree, and bring extra thought to the discussions.